Living a life worthy of our calling

https://odb.org/2024/04/16/ready-to-go-3

There are two aspects to Ephesians 4:1. One is the worthy life and the other the calling. For the latter, we all have our own specific calling. That is probably why spiritual gifts, as listed in 5 different places in the New Testament, are not identical. These lists are likely not exhaustive. Thus, you and I may have a spiritual gift that is not listed, and yet it is nevertheless a gift or a talent that is unique to us for us to help out in the Kingdom of God. Each of us has our own niche to contribute to God’s work, a specific place and role in the universal church.

However, going hand in hand with our spiritual giftings and talents is our life. Are we the new man in the Lord? Or are we still so caught up with our old man with our own desires of the flesh? Have we sanctified and surrendered our ambitions to God, or are we still pursuing our own selfish ambitions to be successful, rich, and famous? To be somebody in the world, rather than the person God wants us to be? Have you become the person with the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit?

Spiritual giftings and talents are aspects of our spiritual life that need to be developed to be more effective in ministry. These are unique elements of who we are in Christ that need to be honed and sharpened. Yet the other half of the equation needs to be equally progressed in parallel. We need both talent and character to fully function in the spiritual realm. The cunning and conniving Jacob needs to wrestle with God to become Israel. The Israelites need to spend 40 years in the wilderness to hone their dependence on the LORD before entering the Promised Land.

Use our God-given talents and giftings to serve Him with all our heart, mind, and strength but put equal effort into not conforming to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. Become the person God wants us to be in both deed and character. Do not neglect who we are and who we will become as we use the gifts and talents God has given us to respond to His calling for our lives!

Be at home

https://odb.org/2024/04/15/longing-for-home-3

Although some of us may treat our workplace as just a place to earn a living, feeling at home at our workplace helps us to be happy and contented at work, ultimately pushing us to make an effective contribution to our respective organisations. We must fit in whether with the people or the work culture. If not, it’s better to move on.

In the same rein, we need to also be at home in church. We should be able to respond to and develop our calling in God in the church that we are affiliated with. We should fit in with the people, the worship, the ministries, and grow spiritually as we listen to the messages preached week in, week out. It is the place where we may serve God as per His calling for our lives.

As we worship the Lord, we should feel that intimacy, that presence that we may see and experience God the Father in the spiritual realm. We worship in spirit and in truth. We may actually enter into the presence of God on our own, but we all know corporate worship is an experience that can’t really be recreated in the comforts of our own home. That is why, post-pandemic, more churches are ceasing online worship services to encourage their people to return to church in person on site. Taking the trouble to dress up and go to church honours God besides the social interaction that comes with physical meetings.

Nevertheless, we are still pilgrims passing through this temporary abode, albeit pilgrims with a mission and calling. John 14:3 gives us that hope that Jesus has gone ahead to prepare us a place at our Father’s mansion with many rooms. He promised to return to bring us there. We await His second coming with anticipation and hope, together with those who had passed on in the past.

We have the ultimate home in heaven, and Revelation 21, as revealed to John, foretells the time when we will all live in the new heaven and new earth in the presence of God. Until then, let us be at home at work and in our local church. Settle down and start making effective and meaningful contributions to our work organisations and our local churches. Make these “homes” as places where we may grow spiritually in God and in our service to Him as we know that the best mission field for most of us is still our workplace. Be at home and serve God at our workplace and our church! Have a good week ahead, everyone!

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

https://odb.org/2024/04/14/above-all-else

Matthew 6:33 – Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you, is one of the most important verses of the bible that we should know besides John 3:16. It is the foundation of our faith in the sense that while we need to live in this world and work hard at whatever we do, we prioritise His Kingdom and the pursuit of His righteousness. In other words, God always comes first even as we need to give our best to earn a living.

Clearly, it doesn’t mean we just cruise by when we work because God is first. It doesn’t mean we should not have an ambition at work because God will provide. We need to not only pull our weight for our department and organisation but do our best. We always give our best as a testimony of our faith and of God, to reflect His glory and goodness in our lives. It’s just that we do not go beyond our job scope to achieve our goals or ambitions. If we want a better life, we don’t cheat or swindle or manipulate situations or people but let God give us the better life the way He took care of the birds of the air and the flowers at the fields.

On the other hand, we focus on Jesus and our relationship with Him. We read the Word. Ee pray for others. We serve in church. We develop a Christ-like character and personality, for example, to always be helpful to those around us, to be kind and patient. We do our part at work and also in ministry. Don’t just be a Sunday Christian or a pew warmer, but get our hands dirty by plunging into the work of the Kingdom. Often, we may need to deal with the issues of life of those around us. As much as it is difficult and challenging, we should get to it, especially if that’s our calling.

Have a good work-life balance, but life here means more of Him than just relaxation and enjoyment. Work hard at our jobs, but put Him first. Make the seeking and pursuit of His righteousness first. In the process, God will ensure that all these will be added to us. We will never be in need if we put Him first in all that we do. God will take care of us! Amen!

Armour of light

https://odb.org/2024/04/09/put-this-on-every-day

We are a new creation when we are born again in Christ, having awakened our spirit who was dead to Yahweh, God the Father. The Holy Spirit lifted the scales from our eyes to see the light, having an understanding of the salvation Jesus brings through His death on the cross and how His resurrection defeated the sting of sin which is death. Thus, the phrase, “two births and one death,” for believers, in contrast to “one birth and two deaths,” for the others. Paul’s mission in life after He saw the light was to preach Christ crucified and Christ resurrected.

But true transformation takes time. Some people are still nasty, manipulative, and selfish after accepting Christ and sadly even after years of knowing God. That’s a tragedy because it’s a contradiction of who we are in Christ. If we had remained the same all these years, then, perhaps we are just a nominal Christian, a believer only in name and appearance.

As much as transformation takes time, it has to be started and progressed. God has to be the potter, and we, the clay and not that clump of unrefined and unworked earth from day one till the end. WIP, yes, but God needs to be able to work in us, and there must be some semblance of beauty in us, a silhouette of who we can and will be in Christ.

Paul teaches us in Romans 13:11-14 to step away from darkness and to put on the armour of light that we remain in the light from henceforth. Put aside the deeds of darkness. Leave them behind as we journey with Christ into the path of the light, the path of righteousness that leads to eternal life. The light illuminates our path and also protects us. That is why it is the armour of light. It shields us from the attacks of the evil one.

Put on the armour of light, stand firm, and persevere through. As we walk in the light, we will destroy the works of darkness and bring everything to light. May the LORD our God bless and anoint our paths as we walk the path of righteousness with the armour of light! Amen!

Joy in the city

https://odb.org/2024/04/08/joy-in-the-city

Proverbs 11:10 teaches that when the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. I think not so much that the city is happy for the prosperity of the righteous but more the fact they know that the blessings of the heavens are opened to also bring prosperity to the city. The righteous prosper because God is with them. The providence of God follows them. People are fearful of divine retribution, but they rejoice in divine providence.

Thus, when God blesses us as the righteous, He blesses our family, our church, and our community. Everyone will be impacted one way or another. That is why when Christ is accepted in poor urban neighbourhoods or ghettos, entire neighbourhoods may be transformed over a generation or two. With Christ in their lives, they turn away from cigarettes, booze, drugs, and crime. They turn to regular jobs. Their children grow up with proper education, and some become lawyers, engineers, doctors, IT professionals, and proper businessmen. From poverty to working class to middle class. That’s the wonderful thing about God working in our lives, in families and communities.

It is not wrong, in my view, to postulate that the pursuit of righteousness is one of the better ways to elevate the standard of living of families and neighbourhoods as righteousness brings divine blessings and providence. It doesn’t mean that we will not face life challenges. But as a people, we will become stronger and more resilient in the face of difficulty and adversity because God is with us.

The message this morning is to always pursue righteousness in all that we do. As the righteous propers, the city rejoices!

5 things to be thankful

https://odb.org/2024/04/07/five-good-things

It is good to be thankful for who we are today and for the things that we have, especially to Creator God, our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Saviour. As today’s ODB article teaches, there are positive benefits to thankfulness and gratefulness. For example, research indicates that people who are intentionally grateful have better sleep, fewer illnesses, and more happiness. It’s not that we will face fewer challenges in life. It’s likely we will be in a good mood much more!

If I were to list 5 things, my first will be my salvation. It gives me the everlasting hope and assurance that I will not be condemned to hell for eternity or just disolve into nothingness. I have the final destination in the new heaven and new earth where there will not be pain and suffering anymore, and where God will live among His people.

My second will be my calling and service in God that my life is not just about facing life’s challenges to put food on the table. I have a greater purpose in Christ to serve Him in His church with the little I have to repay Him for His sacrifice on the cross for me. I am thankful that I may live a redeemed and victorious life here on earth because of Christ.

My third will be my wife, whom I have known since I was 21. She has stood by me through thick and thin, despite my weaknesses and imperfections and in spite of my idiosyncrasies and behavioural traits. I came from humble beginnings, and through her support all these years, we have built a family together to raise our standard of living while always keeping our feet grounded and at the same time, always serving God together as a couple. She plays for me when I lead in worship while she’s my number one advisor when I preach.

My fourth will be my two boys, the apple of our eyes. We have seen them grow since they were babies and gave them all we could as they grow from infancy to adulthood. Although they were latchkey children with both parents working, we have been to all of their major events at school, their concerts, and sports days. Watched them performed since their kindy days, and we have been with them at every stage of their lives. As much as they will grow old and raise families of their own, they will always remain our babies until our dying day.

My fifth will be my career and the jobs that I have had since I graduated from university. We didn’t have any earthly inheritance (but we know we will have our inheritance in the saints). Thus, we started from scratch from our first paycheck. We have had to save up for everything we wanted. I am thankful that although there were ups and downs, a constant and regular income, if saved and used prudently, will eventually become something substantial after many years.

What about you? What are the 5 things that you are thankful to God for? It’s good to write them down and ponder and thank the LORD for His grace and mercy over the years. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

He has put eternity in our hearts

https://odb.org/2024/04/05/now-and-forever

Ecclesiastes is indeed a peculiar wisdom book in the Bible as Solomon seemed to say everything is vanity or meaningless. Except for one thing, and that is knowing God. Thus, we live and die. We work hard to earn a living. We start a family and raise children. We have possessions. But we can bring nothing over to the other side when we die, and most of us will not live more than 80 or 90 years. There is a constant tension in humans to have a balance – we need to save for the rainy day and yet not too much. Someone advocated that our wealth is not really ours until we are willing to spend our children’s inheritance!

But then God has put eternity in our hearts. We are made in the image of God. That is why we don’t think our lives will really end when we die. We won’t just fade away into nothingness. Most, if not all, religions believe in some sort of judgment after we die. An opportunity to give a good account of ourselves or be condemned for our evil deeds while on earth. I believe heaven and hell, eternal life and everlasting damnation are all real. These are not concepts created by man to keep humanity in check on a high moral ground. Our souls live on when we die, and there will be a time of reckoning.

But if we believe in Jesus Christ, His blood saves us from the Great White Throne judgment of God. We need not go through that as we are justified by our faith in Christ. We will nevertheless need to face Christ Himself, our Lord and Saviour, in the Judgment Seat of Christ (also called the Bema judgment). We still need to give an account of who we have become after knowing God. Have we been faithful servants of God? More importantly, have we fulfilled His plans and purposes for our lives? Or did we waste our entire Christian life doing nothing for God, just giving in to the desires of our flesh? We may not have the ability to decide where and who we are born as, but we certainly have all the power in the world to decide who we are as believers of Christ! God has called us to be His own. Are we living a life worthy of God’s grace?

He has put eternity in our hearts indeed. There is life after death. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Eden will be recreated. Will we have our own corner in eternal life? Will we have our inheritance in the saints? Will we obtain the prize that Christ has prepared for us as we had fought the good fight and finished the race? The choice is very much ours to make.

Reassurance from the LORD

https://odb.org/2024/04/04/in-his-arms

I think the picture of a young child sitting on the lap of his father on the dentist’s chair is an excellent picture of who God is and how He is a force of reassurance when we are going through some tough patches in life. God will also be that tower of strength when we are embarking on a journey of faith, trusting on His word, or His calling upon our lives. For example, some of us may take up a challenge to be a missionary in a closed country by taking an overseas job in that country. Or some may stay back in our host country after graduating to work and minister to the people of that nation. Europe, for instance, may have been the centre of the faith years back, but may now be drifting into atheism, eastern religions, new age, witchcraft, and the occultic.

This reminds me of what the LORD said to Joshua as he was about to take the step of faith to lead the Israelites into Canaan after Moses had passed on. In Joshua 1:9, the LORD encouraged Joshua to be strong and of good courage (some versions, be bold and courageous) as He will be with him wherever he goes. If you read on the book of Joshua and arrive at the end of his life, at chapter 24, you will see that the LORD faithfully kept His word all the way. In fact, the book of Joshua is a myriad of the great exploits of God through Joshua and the children of Israel conquering fortified cities and strong armies as they take hold of their inheritance that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

This morning, I would like to encourage us that we are not alone in our quest as we walk the path of righteousness. Jesus is right there with us. The LORD our God encourages us as the Holy Spirit guides and strengthens us. It feels like a lonely walk, but it is not. Like the footsteps in the sand, there are times when there are only two instead of four as Jesus carries us into His arms as we traverse through our tough times. In our weakness, Jesus strengthens us. In our despair, He answers us. In our fears, He emboldens us.

Be strong and courageous, and do not be afraid or be discouraged. For the LORD, your God will be with you wherever you go. Be careful to obey His Word and meditate upon His Word so that we may be successful wherever we go. Do not turn to left or to the right. Be careful to do everything that is written.

Hearing Jesus’s voice

https://odb.org/2024/04/03/i-hear-you-god

I think it’s a given that once we accept Jesus Christ into our lives as our Lord and Saviour, we will eventually know and recognise His voice. In John 10:1-10, Jesus uses the picture of a shepherd and his sheep to convey this message. Basically, the sheep will know and recognise the voice of their shepherd and follow him. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Those who enter through Him will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to kill and destroy, but Jesus has come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. With the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will be able to distinguish the various voices speaking to our hearts. It will take practice and time, but we will eventually get it.

The issue we will likely face, however, is I reckon, more of obedience. Do we want to listen to the voice of Christ like sheep? Or are we like that wayward sheep charting our own way to our own pasture even as the Good Shepherd is leading us to green pastures? If we are the former, we risk being devoured by wolves and other predatory animals like the thief Jesus spoke about, who seeks only to kill and destroy. Obeying the voice of God and following His Word ensures that we are safe in the shadow of His wings. As Jesus soars with wings like the eagle, we are able to follow suit. It is thus crucial that we fashion our lives in accordance with His will, His plans, and purposes for us that He remains our Good Shepherd until the very end of our days here on earth. It is good to start well, but it is more important, in fact, imperative and critical that we end well! 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that we have fought the good fight and finished the race must be our ultimate goal in this walk of faith.

The message this morning is to hear, listen, and obey the voice of Christ. Take heed when He prompts us. Obey His Word as we read and meditate on Scripture. Our lives will then be on the path of righteousness that will lead to eternal life.

Political leaders

https://odb.org/2024/04/02/psalm-72-leaders

Public office politics is inherently difficult as there are many often competing interests to meet and balance at the highest levels. On the one hand, they can’t meet everyone’s demands and, on the other hand, some needs are more urgent than others. It’s a question of priorities, and yet it’s also a question of support. Political personalities and parties need to take care of the needs of their constituents in order to remain in power, their own voting area as well as the power base of their party. In Malaysia, political power is delienated along racial, religious, rural-urban, and East-West Malaysia territorial lines. It is both simple and complex as voters in any group are not necessarily homogeneous. Throw self interests and self enrichment into the mix, and you’ll have a morally reprehensible cauldron of soups.

We may want to criticise, but as believers, we are also part of the system. As much as we identify ourselves as Christians, true believers are hardly a powerful bloc in any jurisdiction. I believe even in the bible belt of the United States of America. Like the Psalmist in Psalm 72, we want a fair and just system where the poor and underprivileged will not be marginalised and the righteous prosper. Unfortunately, public office is sick, likely everywhere in the world.

What we can probably do as an individual believer of Christ is to do our part in the voting process and pray for our leaders that doing the right thing is among their top priorities. They may not be able to do so every single time due to competing interests, but at least they try to. We pray that they do not put self interests at the top of everything they do as that can not be a good thing. The government paying inflated prices will surely contribute to inflation, although the public sector spending is catalyst to economic growth. Inefficient use of resources will lead to waste, especially of hard-earned taxpayers’ monies. It’s already tough to earn a living nowadays, and we still need to pay income and consumption taxes and how disheartening it is if the taxes we pay are abused and misused!

My view is that ultimately, we focus our eyes on Jesus. We give to Caesar what’s due to Caesar, rightfully or otherwise, and fix our eyes on Christ. Ultimately, we are passing through to a better place in eternity. In the meantime, we pray for our rulers and leaders that they will do good for the people at large, if not all the time, at least most of the time!